ROCKFORD — The mother accused of stabbing her 8-year-old son to death was assigned a new judge today in Winnebago County court.

Jody L. Kossow, 39, appeared briefly today before Chief Judge Joe McGraw, who assigned her case to Judge John Lowry. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 25.

She faces charges of first-degree murder of her son, Thomas Kossow, who was stabbed to death with a kitchen knife before 1 a.m. Sept. 10 on the driveway of their home in the 200 block of Woodrow Street.